Trees of shrubs, sometimes with latex.
Leaves simple to compound (unifolialate, trifoliate, or pinnate (sometimes with a fernbud-like apex), rarely bipinnate), alternate. Stipules absent. Leaflets usually entire, rarely lobed or serrate, occasionally with glandular dots. Inflorescences paniculate, racemose, or spike-like, occasionally fasciculate or with solitary flowers. Flowers bisexual or unisexual with rudiments of opposite sex. Calyx more or less 4--6-lobed. Petals 3--7(--14), in 1(--2) whorl(s), separate or connate at base. Stamens usually partly or entirely connate into a tube. Disc absent or situated around the ovary, sometimes nectariferous. Ovary superior, mostly 2--6-locular with 1 style. Fruit a capsule, berry or drupe. Seeds winged or not and having a fleshy aril or sarcotesta or a combination of these.
General info
Distribution About 50 genera with c. 575 species, throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, except Northern Africa. Ecology Usually understorey to upper canopy species in closed forests. Uses Timber (mostly trees from the Neotropics, like Mahogany), shade trees, fruits, vegetables, poisons (insecticides), oils for soap-making and used as illuminants, horticultural ornamentals. Similar to May be confused with Anacardiaceae (resin), Burseraceae (resin), Rutaceae (dots), and Sapindaceae (extrastaminal disc; free rhachis ending) but can generally be distinguished by the connate stamens.
Family description
Trees of shrubs, sometimes with latex.Leaves simple to compound (unifolialate, trifoliate, or pinnate (sometimes with a fernbud-like apex), rarely bipinnate), alternate. Stipules absent. Leaflets usually entire, rarely lobed or serrate, occasionally with glandular dots.
Inflorescences paniculate, racemose, or spike-like, occasionally fasciculate or with solitary flowers.
Flowers bisexual or unisexual with rudiments of opposite sex. Calyx more or less 4--6-lobed. Petals 3--7(--14), in 1(--2) whorl(s), separate or connate at base. Stamens usually partly or entirely connate into a tube. Disc absent or situated around the ovary, sometimes nectariferous. Ovary superior, mostly 2--6-locular with 1 style.
Fruit a capsule, berry or drupe. Seeds winged or not and having a fleshy aril or sarcotesta or a combination of these.
General info
Distribution About 50 genera with c. 575 species, throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, except Northern Africa.Ecology Usually understorey to upper canopy species in closed forests.
Uses Timber (mostly trees from the Neotropics, like Mahogany), shade trees, fruits, vegetables, poisons (insecticides), oils for soap-making and used as illuminants, horticultural ornamentals.
Similar to May be confused with Anacardiaceae (resin), Burseraceae (resin), Rutaceae (dots), and Sapindaceae (extrastaminal disc; free rhachis ending) but can generally be distinguished by the connate stamens.
Treated genera
Aglaia edulis
Dysoxylum sp
Melia azadirachta
Toona ciliata
Walsura pachycaulon